THERE were concerns about the well of motivation of Coca-Cola’s key players having run dry after they had eliminated their former team.

Asi Taulava and Mark Telan dispelled those worries by continuously stoking the fire for the Tigers, making them the hands-down choices as the PBA Press Corps’ Smart-Accel Co-Players of the Week for the period January 14 to 20.

The two ex-Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals led by example, be it in the locker room or on the court, in the process propping the Tigers past two do-or-die games and into the quarterfinals of the Smart PBA Philippine Cup.

Other Coke players, such as Alex Cabagnot, Ronjay Buenafe and John Arigo, have also stepped up, but even coach Binky Favis himself admits Taulava and Telan are the main factors why his ninth-seeded team has far exceeded expectations.

With the two leading the way to the tune of double-double averages, the Tigers first took out the Phone Pals, 81-73, and then the Air21 Express, 109-102, to arrange a best-of-three quarterfinal meeting with Alaska.

Those wins came after a 101-85 demolition job on Talk 'N Text last Wednesday that dragged the Phone Pals down to the knockout wildcard.

“The two have been tremendous,” said Favis. “A coach can only feel blessed if he has such guys playing their hearts out and doing a bit of every thing for him.”

Taulava, who has previously been bestowed the honor twice in the season-opening conference before, prefers to share the credit with his teammates.

“The guys have been different. The motivation, determination have been there. You can see it in their eyes,” he said.

His TNT teammate from 2002-06, Telan, deserves special mention from Taulava.

“He’s my brother, he’ll always be my brother. He’s my inspiration, knows how to push my buttons,” the 6-foot-9 behemoth remarked of Telan.

“That’s why it’s such an honor to share this citation with him. We wouldn’t be where we are right now if not for Mark. He’s always talking to all of us, but basically he makes me want to play basketball.”

Telan merely shrugs off the compliment.

“Kapag naliligo kasi dati iyun, ako ang taga-sabon,” he said in jest and with a chuckle. “Pero siya naman ang nagbabanlaw sa akin.”

Turning more serious, the 6-foot-6 forward-center said: “Ang motivation factor kasi namin, paano i-pu-prove sa lahat na kaya naming pagtulungang mai-angat ang Coke. Iyun ang commitment namin sa isa’t-isa.”

They translated that pledge to concrete figures.

Telan finished with 22 points and nine rebounds and Taulava 13 markers and a game-high 16 in their second win in as many days over their former team.

Taulava then had 17 points, including seven of Coke’s last 11, and 12 rebounds and Telan 11 and 10 in knocking out the Express.

Incidentally, Coca-Cola is the only team with two players averaging a double-double this conference.

And you know who they are. (NCo)